When Joseph Hernandez began his journey at the University of Florida, he was the first in his family of Cuban immigrants to attend college. Twenty years later, Hernandez gifted the college its largest donation from someone under the age of 50. As a serial biotechnology entrepreneur, he attributes much of his success to the mentorship he received at UF. Armed with three degrees, Hernandez worked at Merck before co-founding several biotech and health-related businesses including Microlin Bio, a therapeutic company focused on developing microRNA therapies for the treatment of cancer. Hernandez’s generous contribution endowed the chemistry department to forever impact faculty, students and fellow alumni, while elevating the department’s national leadership. The endowment supports research, financial aid and a new chemistry building named in his honor. Built to address the increasing demand for chemistry classes at UF, the Joe Hernandez Hall will better position future chemists and other alumni to explore solutions to society’s greatest challenges.